"Mrs. America": Right-Wing Media Gush Over Ann Romney

Right-wing media heaped praise on Ann Romney for her Republican National Convention speech, declaring it to be "the single most effective political speech" given by "a political wife" and claiming that "people say" she's "like your best friend's mom." This is a sharp contrast to the right-wing media's vicious smears of Michelle Obama, having attacked her appearance and claimed that she displays "uppity-ism."

Right-Wing Media: Ann Romney "Rock[s] The RNC"

Fox's Hume: Ann Romney Delivered The "Single Most Effective Political Speech ... Given By A Political Wife." During the August 28 edition of Fox News' America's Election HQ, Fox News senior political correspondent Brit Hume declared Ann Romney's speech to be the "single most effective political speech" he had ever heard "given by a political wife." [Fox News, America's Election HQ, 8/28/12, via Media Matters]

Fox's Cameron: People Say Ann Romney Is "So Normal, She's Like Your Best Friend's Mom" During the August 28 broadcast of Fox News' America's Election HQ, Fox News chief political correspondent Carl Cameron claimed that when people meet Ann Romney, they "often say" she's "so normal, she's like your best friend's mom." From the broadcast:

CAMERON: One of the things people often say when they first meet Mitt Romney's wife, Ann, is that she's so normal, she's like your best friend's mom, when you go visit after school and she bakes you cookies but also tells you to tuck in your shirt. Very normal, very average, and yet, today's speech was exactly what Republicans have been crying out for, for a peek into the real Mitt Romney. [Fox News, America's Election HQ, 8/28/12, via Media Matters]

Fox Nation: Ann Romney "Rock[ed] The RNC." Fox Nation linked to a FoxNews.com article about the convention under the headline, "Chris Christie and Ann Romney Rock the RNC: America Needs Mitt." The post's excerpt from the FoxNews.com article read, in part, "Ann Romney tried Tuesday night to bring some love -- and some truth -- to a presidential race marked recently by accusations of half-truths and lies -- in a speech that paid homage to women and attempted to share Mitt Romney's personal side to America."

Fox Nation linked to their post with the following graphic on their home page:

Limbaugh: "Dare I Say This: It Doesn't Look Like Michelle Obama Follows Her Own Nutritionary, Dietary Advice." On the February 21, 2011, edition of his show, Rush Limbaugh insinuated that Michelle Obama is a hypocrite because she advocates healthy eating, but is overweight. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 2/21/11, via Media Matters]

Limbaugh: Michelle Obama Was Booed At NASCAR Event Because She Has Exhibited "Uppity-Ism." During the November 21, 2011, broadcast of his show, Limbaugh accused Michelle Obama of "uppity-ism" for her vacation travel arrangements. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 11/21/11, via Media Matters]

Fox Guest Malkin: Michelle Obama The "Bitter Half Of The Obama Administration." During the May 30 edition of Fox News' Hannity, Fox guest Michelle Malkin claimed that "there are very few people in the lapdog media who want to take Michelle Obama on" for remarks that Malkin felt "earned her the moniker" "the bitter half of the Obama administration." [Fox News, Hannity, 5/30/12, via Media Matters]

Fox News' Sean Hannity: Michelle Obama Sounds "So Bitter And Angry."On the May 11, 2008, edition of Fox News' Hannity's America, host Sean Hannity said: "This week, Michelle Obama still sounds angry. ... As Michelle Obama stumps for her husband to be the next President of the United States, it seems she doesn't have many positive things to say about America. In fact, her speeches always seem to have a negative tone to them. It seems her view of the United States is one of despair and hopelessness." Hannity later added: "This raises the question, why does Michelle Obama sound so bitter and angry as she campaigns for the White House?" [Fox News' Hannity's America, 5/11/08, via Nexis]

Wash. Times: Michelle Obama Is "America's First Nanny." In a November 1, 2011, editorial, The Washington Times claimed that Michelle Obama's efforts to improve nutrition in America were examples of her love of telling "other people what to do," calling her "America's First Nanny." [The Washington Times, 11/2/11, via Media Matters]

Limbaugh: "There's A Reason She Is Called Michelle Antoinette." During the January 18 broadcast of his show, Limbaugh declared that "there's a reason" Michelle Obama "is called Michelle Antoinette," arguing this name applies to Michelle Obama because:

She takes her own separate jets to Spain with 35 people. You and I are paying for it. She takes her own separate jet to Hawaii. Barack and Michelle Obama are living like kings. They are not living on their income; they are so far above their income. And yet, it is never said about the Obamas that they are out of touch with the experiences and concerns of typical Americans. [Premiere Radio Network, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 1/18/12, via Media Matters]

Limbaugh Calls Michelle Obama "Michelle, My Butt." During broadcasts of his program, Limbaugh has frequently referred to Michelle Obama as "Michelle, my butt" and acted as though he misspoke. [Media Matters, 12/14/10]

For more examples of Limbaugh attacking Michelle Obama's appearance, see here, here, and here.

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